Obituary of Charles Banilis

Charles Banilis Piscataway - Charles Banilis, 97, died peacefully at home on Friday July 20, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised in Elizabeth, Charles worked at Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery in Newark as a machinist. He also dabbled in real estate through the buying and selling of houses in the Newark area. He took great pleasure in fixing the houses, Charlie was known as "Mr. Fixit" and he would never pass up on an opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need. Charlie could often be found at Fountain Blue Diner reading a newspaper and checking the stock market. He enjoyed working on old cars, gardening and was always up for a debate about politics. Charlie also rescued many animals throughout his life and gave the neighborhood strays a home. He was loved and will be missed by many. He is predeceased by his dear wife, Josephine who passed in 1980, his daughter; Linda who passed in 2011 and his sister, Gertrude Hayek. Surviving are two daughters; Connie and husband Vincent of Piscataway and Karen and husband Minas of Edison, a sister; Marie DelValle, four grandchildren; Joseph and wife Marie, Cristi, Nicholas and Kevin and two great grandchildren; M.J. and Allie. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 9:30 AM in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield, NJ followed by a 10:30 AM funeral mass in Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church, Piscataway, NJ. Interment will follow in St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia. Family and friends may attend the visitation hours on Monday, July 23, 2012 from 3-7 PM in the funeral home.